Aggies fall to Florida in SEC debut

Texas A&M University quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scores a touchdown on a boot leg during the second quarter of a NCAA football game against University of Florida, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at Kyle Field in College Station. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle )

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M failed to score a point in the second half and Florida prevailed 20-17 this afternoon at Kyle Field before 87,114 fans, ninth largest crowd in the stadium’s history.

The Gators, who clamped down on the Aggies defensively over the last two quarters, scored only 10 points of their own after the break, but it was enough to hand A&M a setback in its first Southeastern Conference game.

The scene was reminiscent of last year, when A&M under then-coach Mike Sherman blew five large second-half leads. The Aggies (0-1) now turn their attention to SMU, where they play next Saturday starting 2:30 p.m. Kevin Sumlin becomes the second consecutive A&M coach to lose his debut, after Sherman lost to Arkansas State four years ago.